Category: art and writing

This post interrupts our regularly scheduled recipe-sharing about the books that shaped us as we grew up. Hold that thought! Dan and I are headed up to Missoula for a few days of vacation, learning, socializing, and late-but-not-less anniversary fun at the SF&F convention! When I get back, I'll share what I learned with you … Continue reading MisConMT 32 Interlude

I'm starting a new series on here about the books that influenced me growing up. These are the books that shaped my brain. Gave me my fears, values, and passions. The Secret Julie Ingredients! E.B. White I can remember reading The Trumpet of the Swan and being delighted over watercress sandwiches. I can remember the … Continue reading Secret Ingredients – 1

The Cafe Irreal's Spring issue dropped today, and my name is folded between the pixelated pages with my flash fiction piece, 40. I originally wrote this as a twist story, but couldn't make it work. Since then, I've learned from John Adamus that a twist should surprise the characters more than the readers. Good advice, … Continue reading 40

Before we get to the goods, an update on my Patreon. I have discovered the joy of Lens. This is an app that allows me to share 15-second videos of my life with patrons. It's a bit addictive! So far we've shared a blackout poem session, my morning coffee, the dog and cat being cute, … Continue reading Motherhood

When I took up writing again after my diagnosis, my goal was like a goldfish. It was little and messy and cute, and I was drawn to it by an impulse. I wanted to be published. I wanted my name chiseled into the stone of literature. That sounds big, but it wasn't. I just wanted … Continue reading Let Your Fish Get Big

Just a reminder, this is a first draft in public. It's rough and ugly, but it's me telling myself (and you) the story. It's me sitting down every week and typing out a scene. The magic happens in editing and revising. Thanks for reading along! Boundaries Lights flared illuminating the steps and a portion of … Continue reading Boundaries

You ever hike and get to the point on an uphill section where you are bent practically to your toes, using your arms to push your thighs, just so you can take one more step? You can't even look up to find the next bend because if you do, you'll fall over and never get … Continue reading “Good Enough”

I didn't read as many books this month, and the books I read were a bit disappointing. I did stumble over a lot of great articles, magnificent poetry, and if you need an audio alternative, I've got you covered. A glimpse of my February mental space: Books You Play The Girl by Carina Chocano - … Continue reading February’s Quick Look

Last week, we left our intrepid writer feeling overwhelmed and standing in a virtual rubble-pile of her own edit-making. This week, I have conquered the hardest part. I've begun to rebuild. I'm now up to Chapter Three in the revision process, and while wary and suspicious, I am hopeful. You've all seen the cairns when … Continue reading Trickster

I'm in an uncomfortable spot many writers will recognize. I can see the thin spots in my plot and character development for Ferals & Blights, and in trying to strengthen those areas, I've found more weak points. This manuscript now feels like a house of cards. My job is to fix that, and today it … Continue reading Some Rules